1921 Silo Explosion Oppau, Germany

Oppau today is part of Ludwigshafen, Germany. It is located along the Rhine River in
southwestern Germany and remains home of BASF. They are the largest chemical producer in the world
and had been founded in 1865 (Hysell, 2015). The Oppau factory was a chemical production facility
constructed by the leading German chemical company BASF in the time period shortly before the First
World War. The purpose of the chemical manufacturing at Oppau was the production of nitrogen
fertilizers on the basis of the then recently developed Haber-Bosch synthesis of ammonia. It was the first
facility of its kind anywhere in the world (Kristensen, 2016).

Prior to 1921, the plant produced ammonium sulfate as fertilizer. But during World War I,
Germany was unable to obtain sulfur due to both war conditions and embargos. So, the plant began
producing ammonium nitrate as well, possible because the Haber process did not need overseas
resources. The Haber or Haber-Bosch process remains in use as an artificial fixation process for
producing ammonia. On the morning of 21 September 1921, hundreds of tons of ammonium sulfate
nitrate (ASN) fertilizer, kept in a storage silo at the Oppau factory site. The ammonium nitrate is far
more hygroscopic (attracting water from the environment and holding it) than ammonium sulfate and
so the combination of the two plus the pressure of its own weight turned the mixture into a plaster-like
substance. The workers had to take pickaxes to remove the plaster-like substance from inside the silos.
After many failed attempts, the workers took small charges of low-grade dynamite to loosen the mixture
(Carr, 2017) leading it to a massive explosion.

Tests done in 1919 concluded that the mix, if it was less than 60% nitrate, was unlikely to
explode. Tests indicated that mixtures at 50/50, it was stable enough to store in 50,000 tonne lots which
was ten times more than the amount involved the explosion. So dynamite was used. Dynamites were
fired approximately 20,000 times beforehand during the cleaning process. Since ammonium nitrate had
no effect after almost 20,000 firings, it was believed that ammonium nitrate was not very explosive.
More recent testing has shown that the theory of less than 60% nitrate is safe is simply wrong. When
nitrate is less than 50%, explosions are confined to a small space, but the higher the concentration, the
more likely an explosion will take place. Nearby nitrates can be ignited by small explosions and detonate
and expand. Since nothing has been left after the explosion, there is no evidence to what went wrong as
all involved witnesses, the victims, died as well as the buildings are destroyed in the explosion (Fig. 1a, b)
(Hysell, 2015).
 Fig. 1a Fig. 1b

Due to the very large scale of the destruction resulting from the Oppau explosion, both human
and material, the incident immediately became a major event of both national and global proportions.
At the time, it was the most severe accident in the history of the chemical industry, and it has remained
among the worst industrial disasters up to today.

In order to avoid such disasters, ammonium nitrate should be stored in a dry places so it would
not absorb much moisture from its surroundings to create a paste. Also, the ammonium nitrate solid
should be stored away from combustible materials or sources. The companies should also make sure
that any wall with a 50 feet radius of the compound is fire resistant and does not conduct heat. In
addition, there should be regular inspections of facilities that handle and store ammonium nitrate for
safety. Fire detectors or sprinkler systems should also be installed in storage places in case the
compound comes into contact with heat and starts reacting. Moreover, ventilation in storage units
containing the unstable compound should be provided so there will be no build up of pressure or
temperature.

References:

Kirsten, T.E., (2016). A factual clarification and chemical-technical reassessment of the 1921 Oppau
explosion disaster the unforeseen explosivity of porous ammonium sulfate nitrate fertilizer. Retrieved
September 9, 2021 from https://publications.ffi.no/nb/item/asset/dspace:2629/16-01508.pdf

Hysell, P., (2015). Little bits of history oppau explosion. Retrieved September 9, 2021 from
https://patriciahysell.wordpress.com/2015/09/21/oppau-explosion/

French Ministry of Environmment, (3008). Explosion in a nitrogenous fertilizer plant. Retrieved form
September 9, 2021 from https://www.aria.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/wp-
content/files_mf/FD_14373_oppau_1921_ang.pdf

Carr, B., (2017). Remembering an accident: Oppau explosion in Germany. Retrieved September 9, 2021
from https://www.taproot.com/remembering-an-accident-oppau-explosion-in-germany/
Dan, M., (2018). September 21, 1921: Another bizarre catastrophe (Oppau Explosion. Retrieved from
September 9, 2021 from https://www.historyandheadlines.com/september-21-1921-another-bizarre-
catastrophe-oppau-explosion/